Garden series starts with home orchards

Published: Tuesday, June 10, 2014 11:01 a.m. CST

SYCAMORE – The summer series of University of Illinois Extension’s Four Seasons Gardening program focuses on environmental stewardship and backyard food production. The first session of the series, "Home Orchards," will be offered twice, at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 24, and at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 26. Both sessions will be presented via teleconference at the DeKalb County Extension office at 1350 W. Prairie Drive, Sycamore.

Sonja Lallemand, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator, will talk about one of the most rewarding gardening activities, growing fruits in the home garden. Nothing equals the taste of tree or vine-ripened fruits, wherever you are in Illinois. This presentation will focus on the general considerations for getting started in developing and cultivating your own orchard; it will also provide growing tips for several types of small fruits. The presentation will be presented via the University of Illinois distance learning system, allowing live discussion between the presenter and gardeners throughout Illinois.

Other topics in the summer series include "Starting a Youth Garden," July 8 and 10, and "Mosquitoes and West Nile Virus," July 22 and 24.

Cost per session is $5, or attend the entire series for $12. Phone or email the University of Illinois Extension office for more details: 815-758-8194, mpetra@illinois.edu or web.extension.illinois.edu/bdo. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, contact 815-758-8194.